When she's not eating yogurt with her sunglasses upside down,
she's waking up her baby sister or begging for some ice cream.
Either one is a pretty safe bet.

Things that made my day (yesterday)

With Chandler being in school all day I think I've been missing out on some of the humor he has to offer. So summer has reminded me of how funny he can be. Well, at least to his mother. Here is a sampling of things he said today that made today so worth it.

When I saw that Michael Jackson died, I told the kids and Chandler said, "I can't believe Michael Jackson died! He's was like my favorite singer. At least the Beach Boys are still alive."

Somehow Chandler "accidentally" pushed Baden off his bed and so Baden was hurt. Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of the teeth. I was feeding Clara so I couldn't help Baden out, so I told Chandler that I wanted him to console Baden. He kept refusing to do it and finally I ask why he won't obey me and he starts crying and in-between sobs says, "Because I'm a man! And men don't do those sorts of things." (it was really funny and I lost all sensitivity and started laughing, but really I'm gonna bust the chops of the macho man who is feeding him such lies. And I know it's not Brian.)

I was trying to pull a fast one on them tonight and skip reading scriptures, but Carson set me straight so I repented and summarized the story of Abraham and Isaac. When I finished Chandler said, "Mom, don't you read the Bible? That is not how it ended." Then he proceeds to tell about the sheep in the thorny bush etc... Then he asks me if I need to borrow his Bible stories. I've been sufficiently humbled.

Stop the clock!

My babe is 2 months old.

Growing, growing, growing!

We love her overpowering cheeks and her serious nature (she's got some Lybbert genes).One thing we know for certain. It is virtually impossible for a baby to get too much lovin'.

She's a keeper, that's for sure.

My saving grace

I'll be flying solo for half the week so my cousin, Katie Sue, has come to the rescue. She arrived yesterday and I don't think she's left Kate's side since she got here. She even slept on the floor by her crib! It's got me thinking that adopting an 11 year old might be a brilliant idea.

Wednesday Letters

I love reading the weekly emails from my brother Andrew who is on a mission. But, I have to say the one he sent today is my favorite. He's right. It's all about obedience and sacrifice. Good lessons to remember.

FUN

Napoleon style

Thanks for the Costco tip, Debie!

Last Day of School

Some of us are more excited than others.
I'll let you guess who's who.


Chandler 2nd grade Carson Kindergarten

I have approximately 67 hours to figure out how exactly I will keep myself these bundles of energy busy all SUMMER LONG!

Care to share what you will be doing to keep your children entertained?
I'd love some ideas...

So happy to have her around.

Clara's Day

Yesterday was Clara's blessing day.
It was a special day for our family.
Brian gave her a beautiful blessing.
She wore a beautiful dress my mom made her. (based on only a picture!)
After church we had a delicious meal and enjoyed the company of family.
You will just have to believe me that the day was wonderful because the pictures that were captured towards the end of our day don't do it justice.

See what I mean?


We are going to have to try again another day.

Help

(so nice to have another helper when I need it the most!)

Life is beautiful

(if only they'd bloom all year long)

Doesn't this little video make you want to keep a little notebook and a pen by your bed?
Sure makes me want to.
In fact I'm going to.

to do this weekend:

• kiss my one month old's cheeks (oh those cheeks! can they be any cuter?)

• and if there's time get a handle on all this laundry (again!)

happy warm weekend!

Lucky

My sweet neighbor Marilyn knocked on my door Friday afternoon. As I opened the door the 3 boys and Kate barreled down the stairs to greet her. She looked at them and then me with Clara in my arms and said, "Natasha, you are so lucky! Look at them. You are so lucky!" It lifted my spirits. I needed that reminder.

After she left I thought how different I would have felt had she come in and said, "You have got your hands full!" or "Five kids! What were you thinking?" I'm sure I would have felt overwhelmed and crazy!

But instead, I felt lucky. And I am!

So when the going gets tough, I'm going to remember: I am lucky!

I'm also going to remember: Positive remarks can make or break someone's day.

Keep it positive. We're all lucky. Don't you think?

4 year old logic

Baden:
It would be a lot better if everyone in the world was a bee.

Me:
Why?

Baden:
Because then whenever they went by a plant they could pollinate it.


Makes perfect sense.
Everyone needs a Baden in the family.

Thankful

that croup isn't contagious.

that my 5th baby likes, no, LOVES the swing.

blue cups

simplifying things around here

loaded in the dishwasher at night
unloaded from the dishwasher in the morning
no longer do we have a bazillion blue cups everywhere

the next best thing to having a drinking fountain installed

Would you believe these two darlings robbed me (and Brian) of sleep last night?
Well, believe it!

Thankfully, joy cometh in the morning.
(I read this talk last week as suggested by my father. When I was done reading I knew why he'd offered up the suggestion. It's helping me through this "transition". So, listen to your fathers.)

Day 10

See?

She really is a bundle.
She just fell asleep on my shoulder, I better go put myself to sleep as well.

11:02 pm

Miss bright eyes doesn't know we are suppose to be asleep at this hour.

Chandler turned 8 on Tuesday!Luckily, Clara and I came home from the hospital so we could join in the celebration.
I love that he got all decked out in his new scout uniform for the festivities.
He wanted to wear the get-up to school, but dad wouldn't let him.
Next Wednesday can't come soon enough for this new Wolf.

But what he's the most excited about is getting baptized on Saturday.
He said "when your 8, you get the best present. The gift of the Holy Ghost."
I couldn't agree more.